My first computer: what was its name?

Aug 29, 2008 16:46

ravenx99 has discovered the Digi-Comp, which reminded me of something I used to have: technically, I think, an electro-mechanical computer ( Read more... )

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caulay August 29 2008, 23:19:00 UTC
Was it anything like this?

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gamehawk August 30 2008, 00:19:40 UTC
Very much like, yup. I guess the generic name would account for why I couldn't remember it. How did you find that?

Mine was off-white (a precursor of Tandy White?) and had red sliders... I think that one is a slightly newer version, since I seem to recall that being my first experience with "as soon as you buy a computer, stop looking at the ads or you'll be annoyed."

And now I'm not sure if mine had the same spring connectors, and if so what it was I had that had the stick-wires-in-holes type connector. It wasn't Baby Go Bye-Bye, though that's the closest electro-mechanical toy I can think of, since that was plastic thingies. (It will surprise no one who knows me that both doll and butterfly car shell went by the wayside, in favor of leaving the "programming" exposed.

I still have it. I should get it out and see if it still works. Or at least take pictures of its guts... since now that I think about it, it's probably *really* my first computer.

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caulay August 30 2008, 00:41:37 UTC
Googled for "science fair computer kit" and it was the top "real" result.

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gamehawk August 30 2008, 01:02:13 UTC
Ah, of course: I didn't include "kit" in any of my searches because I didn't think of it as one (though now I remember the tedious assembly of all those sliders, with springy little sliding contacts and such... how could I have forgotten *that*?)

Hmm, searching for "Digital Computer Kit" brings up the Digi-Comp too, and also the Heath H-8, which I really, really wanted (since Apples were unimaginable). That, or an Ohio Scientific Challenger.

Boy, I feel old. And nerdy.

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